Methods for game augmented interactive marketing

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for game augmented interactive marketing, advertising impression verification, and information presentation. In one embodiment, a method for interactive marketing includes generating a game sequence with a plurality of moves that may be played by a user and eliciting from the user at least one of the plurality of moves from the game sequence. Moves taken by the user may be tallied. In other aspects of the invention, the moves or steps taken by the user include the user disclosing to the system information verifying or including recognition by the user of a pre-determined product or other message. In other embodiments of the invention, a user enters into a monitored zone at a facility, and a token or key is recognized. In another embodiment, the customer is informed of an available entertainment sequence and the customer enters into the entertainment sequence.

1 . A method for interactive marketing, comprising: 
 eliciting a play move from a user, the play move including the user taking at least one action for entertainment in response to a solicitation;    receiving a response by the user with the play move, the play move demonstrating receipt by the user of a predetermined message; and    recognizing the play move of the user.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein recognizing the play move of the user includes recognizing information verifying recognition by the customer of a predetermined message.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined message includes a marketing logo.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined message includes a marketing slogan.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined message includes a marketing jingle.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one action for entertainment is a portion of a game.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein recognizing the play move of the customer includes verifying receipt by the customer of a token.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein recognizing the play move of the customer includes verifying receipt by the customer of a information key.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein recognizing the play move of the customer includes verifying receipt by the customer of a mark.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein recognizing the play move of the customer includes verifying receipt by the customer of a product sample.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the response by the user with the play move includes receiving communication of a predetermined information with respect to one of a product and a service.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the response by the user with the play move includes determining the user is handling a product.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the response by the user with the play move includes determining the user is handling a brochure.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the response by the user with the play move includes receiving the user's reading out loud information concerning one of a product and a service.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the response by the user with the play move includes receiving the user's stating of one of a product preference and a service preference.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the response by the user with the play move includes the receiving the response by the user at a location remote from the eliciting of the play move.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the location remote from the eliciting of the play move includes a position elsewhere in a store from the eliciting of the play move.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the location remote from the eliciting of the play move includes a different street address from the eliciting of the play move.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the response by the user with the play move includes receiving the response by a telephone.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the response by the user with the play move includes receiving the response via a computer network.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the response by the user with the play move includes receiving the response via a portable electronic device.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 informing the user that a game is available for play.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 informing the user includes announcing that the user is entering a monitored entertainment zone.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 rewarding the user for the recognized play move of the user.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 identifying the user.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein identifying the user includes acquiring a data set including a plurality of identifying characteristics.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the plurality of identifying characteristics includes biometric characteristics.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the plurality of identifying characteristics includes photometric factors.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 25  wherein identifying the user includes acquiring a name of the user.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein identifying the user includes authenticating biometric data of the user.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 25  wherein identifying the user includes a sensing an RFID tag held by the user.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 25  wherein identifying the user includes sensing an RFID tag under a control of the user.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein identifying the user includes retrieving a user information set stored in a database based on the sensed RFID tag.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 25  wherein identifying the user includes measuring a pressure applied by the user to a pressure sensor.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein measuring a pressure includes measuring a pressure applied by the user to a floor.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 determining the user has entered into a monitored game zone.    
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein eliciting a play move includes delivery of a token to the user.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein recognizing the play move includes determining the user is in receipt of the token.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the token includes a physical object.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein eliciting a play move includes delivering an information key to the user.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein recognizing the play move includes determining the user is in receipt of the information key.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the information key includes a slogan.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  Claim 1 , further comprising: 
 tallying the game move of the user.    
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the tallying includes counting the game move and storing the result on a database.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 compiling the game move of the user.    
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the compiling includes storing the game move and a customer information set linked to the game move on a database.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein eliciting a play move includes eliciting one of a left brain oriented response and a right brain oriented response from the user.  
   
   
       48 . A method for interactive marketing, comprising: 
 generating a game sequence including a plurality of steps that may be played by a user;    soliciting the user to executing at least one of the plurality of steps from the game sequence;    receiving a response by the user executing at least one of the steps from the game sequence; and    tallying the at least one of the steps taken by the user.    
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the at least one of the steps executed by the user includes disclosing information verifying recognition by the user of a predetermined message.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the disclosed information includes information obtained by the user from a product packaging.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the predetermined message includes a marketing logo.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the predetermined message includes a marketing slogan.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the predetermined message includes a marketing jingle.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the information verifying recognition includes a marketing jingle.  
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the information verifying recognition includes a marketing slogan.  
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the at least one of the steps from the game sequence includes handling a product.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the at least one of the steps from the game sequence includes the user reading information concerning one of a product or a service.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the at least one of the steps from the game sequence includes the user reading product data out loud.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising: 
 informing the user that the game sequence is available for game playing.    
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising: 
 rewarding the user base on the user taking at least one of the steps from the game sequence.    
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the plurality of steps includes exiting from the game sequence.  
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the plurality of steps includes transferring to a second game sequence.  
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising: 
 maintaining a database including information concerning the user.    
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 48  wherein responding by the user taking at least one of the steps from the game sequence includes responding at a location remote from the soliciting of the play move.  
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising: 
 identifying the user.    
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 65  wherein identifying the user includes authenticating biometric characteristics of the user.  
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein soliciting the user includes delivering a token to the user.  
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein receiving a response by the user includes receiving a disclosure by the user that the user is in receipt of the token.  
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein soliciting the user includes delivering an information key to the user.  
   
   
       70 . The method of  claim 69 , wherein receiving a response by the user includes receiving a disclosure by the user of the information key.  
   
   
       71 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein soliciting the user includes eliciting one of a right brain oriented and a left brain oriented response from the user.  
   
   
       72 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein soliciting the user includes eliciting one of analytic/logical response and an intuitive/creative response.  
   
   
       73 . A method for acquiring customer information: 
 informing the customer of an available interactive entertainment sequence, including disclosing to the customer information concerning the interactive entertainment sequence;    entering by the customer into the interactive entertainment sequence through a predetermined action by the customer;    recognizing the entering of the customer into the interactive entertainment sequence;    eliciting a response from the customer, the response reflecting one of customer product advertising awareness, customer product preferences, and customer buying patterns;    responding by the customer with the response;    receiving the response by the customer; and    tallying the response from the customer.    
   
   
       74 . The method of  claim 73  further comprising: 
 informing the customer of availability and location of an entertainment zone.    
   
   
       75 . The method of  claim 73  wherein the product advertising awareness includes the customer knowing a product slogan.  
   
   
       76 . The method of  claim 73  wherein the product advertising awareness includes the customer knowing a product jingle.  
   
   
       77 . The method of  claim 73  wherein the product advertising awareness include the customer knowing aspects of a product.  
   
   
       78 . The method of  claim 73  wherein responding by the customer includes the customer responding at a location remote from the informing of the customer.  
   
   
       79 . The method of  claim 75  wherein informing the customer includes informing by a telephone.  
   
   
       80 . The method of  claim 76  wherein informing the customer includes informing by a public media.  
   
   
       81 . The method of  claim 77  wherein informing the customer includes informing by a computer network.  
   
   
       82 . The method of  claim 78  wherein informing the customer includes informing through a portable electronic device carried by the user.  
   
   
       83 . The method of  claim 73 , further comprising: 
 extrinsically rewarding the user, based on the response by the customer.    
   
   
       84 . The method of  claim 73 , further comprising: 
 rewarding the user by means of further game play.    
   
   
       85 . The method of  claim 73 , further comprising: 
 identifying the user.    
   
   
       86 . The method of  claim 85  wherein identifying the user includes acquiring a data set including a plurality of identifying characteristics.  
   
   
       87 . The method of  claim 85  wherein identifying the user includes authenticating the user.  
   
   
       88 . The method of  claim 85  wherein identifying the user includes acquiring a name of the user.  
   
   
       89 . The method of  claim 85  wherein identifying the user includes measuring pressures applied by the user to a pressure sensor.  
   
   
       90 . The method of  claim 73 , further comprising: 
 compiling the customer response in a data base including a set of information concerning the customer.    
   
   
       91 . A method for acquiring customer information comprising: 
 informing the customer of an available entertainment sequence;    entering by the customer into the entertainment sequence through a predetermined action by the customer;    recognizing the entering of the customer into the entertainment sequence;    presenting a stimulus to the customer creating a customer's experience in response to the stimulus;    eliciting a response from the customer reflecting the customer's experience in response to the stimulus;    receiving a response by the customer reflecting the customer's experience in response to the stimulus; and    tallying the response by the customer.    
   
   
       92 . The method of  claim 91  wherein the customer's experience includes an emotion.  
   
   
       93 . The method of  claim 91  wherein the receiving a response by the customer includes recognition of an emotion.  
   
   
       94 . The method of  claim 91  wherein the recognition of an emotion includes recognizing a customer's statement of the emotion.  
   
   
       95 . The method of  claim 91  wherein the customer's experience includes determining a preference.  
   
   
       96 . The method of  claim 95  wherein the preference includes one of a visual, an auditory, an olfactory, and a kinesthetic preference.  
   
   
       97 . The method of  claim 95  wherein the preference includes aspects of a product package.  
   
   
       98 . The method of  claim 91  wherein responding by the customer includes responding at a location remote from the informing of the customer.  
   
   
       99 . The method of  claim 91  wherein the eliciting a response from the customer includes eliciting by a public media.  
   
   
       100 . The method of  claim 91  wherein the eliciting a response includes eliciting through a computer network.  
   
   
       101 . The method of  claim 91 , further comprising: 
 rewarding the user.    
   
   
       102 . The method of  claim 91 , further comprising: 
 identifying the user.    
   
   
       103 . The method of  claim 102  wherein identifying the user includes acquiring a data set including a plurality of identifying characteristics.  
   
   
       104 . The method of  claim 102  wherein identifying the user includes authenticating the user using biometric characteristics.  
   
   
       105 . The method of  claim 91 , further comprising: 
 compiling the response by the customer in a data base.    
   
   
       106 . The method of  claim 91 , wherein responding by the customer reflecting the customer's experience in response to a stimulus includes responding with an indication of one of a left brain orientation and right brain orientation of the customer.  
   
   
       107 . The method of  claim 91 , further comprising: 
 categorizing the customer's experience as indicating one of a of a left brain orientation and a right brain orientation of the customer.